Five Albums You Should Be Listening to Right Now: Portugal. The Man

If any band embodies the DIY rock idiom, it’s Portugal. The Man. After seven transcendent full-length albums in seven years, the festival veterans, tour addicts, and music video virtuosos decided to take a bold leap. Collaborating with celebrated producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), last year’s Evil Friends is a nod to the combustible magic of partnerships. Some tracks slink out like anthemic pop candy and others warp images of religion, politics, and love in falsetto-ed psychedelic diversions; it sort of feels like the aural equivalent of the True Detective opening credits.

Portugal. the Man has a sound that evolves with each album, unfolding to a more mature plain — and as some put it — a musical fever dream. Word on the street is their next joint will be recorded with Beastie Boy Mike D — yowza. We are lucky enough to have Zach Carothers and Jason Sechrist of Portugal. The Man sit down and share their favorite albums with us this week. You gotta listen.

Portugal. The Man’s Picks:

Ty Segal, ManipulatorWe’ve been loving this dude for a while now. Very impressed with the amount of music he releases. Badass tones and overall vibes. He’s a shredding guitarist who’s always keeping it cool as fuck.

Listen to: “The Singer”

Lykke Li, I Never LearnShe’s my girl. I’ve been rooting for her for a while now. This one didn’t grab me as fast as the last album, but after a couple listens I feel like it’s the perfect follow up to Wounded Rhymes. A little more mellow, but heavy in mood. She can do no wrong in my book. Love it.

Listen to: “Gunshot”

iLoveMakonnen, Self-titledIt started off as a joke, and now we pretty much listen to him every day. Ha. Mike D sent us “Tuesday” about a month ago and since then, we can’t stop. Won’t stop.

Listen to: “Sneaky Lady”

Mehliana, Taming The DragonA duo of Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana. They made a crazy jazz record. I’m big on Aphex Twin, I grew up listening to that stuff and to me, Mehliana is the human version of that. It’s music performed so far out and precise.

Listen to: “Hungry Ghost”

Jungle, JungleThese songs and fellas made a nice sound. I can’t believe how good it is. That’s all.